England were denied the chance to clinch the Ashes by a stunning debut performance from Australia's Nicole Bolton in Melbourne.

Victories in the only Test, then the first of three 50-over matches, had left England with an 8-0 lead under the points system used to decide the women's series, meaning Australia had to win each of the five remaining contests to regain the title England had secured on home territory last summer.

The Southern Stars responded by making changes, and were handsomely rewarded as Bolton, a 25-year-old left-hander from Perth, hit 124 off 152 balls to steer them to a commanding total of 266 for seven. She shared stands of 95 with Jess Cameron and 75 with Alex Blackwell, who hit 56 from 47 balls, and England were made to pay a heavy price for dropping Bolton twice early in her innings.

They made the worst possible start to their reply as the captain, Charlotte Edwards, was bowled for a duck by Holly Ferling's first ball, and when Lydia Greenway also fell cheaply England were in deep trouble at 13 for two.

Sarah Taylor joined Heather Knight to drag them back into contention in a third-wicket stand of 84 in 16 overs, and after Knight had gone for 55 from 68 balls, Taylor moved on to 63. But her run-out, by Bolton, ended England's chances, and a 26-run defeat was concluded in the 47th over, when Natalie Sciver was last out for 57 off 42 balls.

England's next chance to secure the Ashes comes in Hobart with the last 50-over game on Sunday, before Twenty20 fixtures in Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney.

They have also confirmed that Kate Cross, the young Lancashire all-rounder who made an impressive Test debut in Perth, will stay with the squad for the rest of the tour in place of Katherine Brunt, the experienced Yorkshire seamer who has been forced home with a back injury.